Chapter 8: Atmosphere Lesson 1 Atmospheric Basics

Permanent Atmospheric Gases

99% of the atmosphere is composed of Nitrogen and Oxygen, while the last 1% consists of Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, and Other Trace Gases.

Variable Atmospheric Gases

Concentrations of gases like Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, and Ozone vary over time.

Water Vapor

Invisible gaseous form of water that varies with seasons, altitude, and surface properties.

Ozone

Has the chemical formula O3 and varies seasonally at higher latitudes, reaching a minimum during spring.

Carbon Dioxide

Has increased over the last 150 years primarily due to fossil fuel use.

Atmosphere Particles

Contains variable amounts of solids like dust, salt, and ice that are transported by wind.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs, containing 99% of all water vapor.

Stratosphere

Layer above the troposphere where temperature increases with altitude, home to the ozone layer.

Mesosphere

Layer where temperature decreases with altitude, about 50-85 km above Earth's surface, and acts as a meteor shield.

Thermosphere

Layer between 85-600 km above Earth's surface known for high temperatures and the Northern Lights.

Exosphere

Outermost layer of the atmosphere that transitions to outer space, extending from 600-10000 km above Earth.

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

Involves the movement of particles and forms of energy like kinetic and thermal energy.

Radiation

Transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves.

Conduction

Transfer of thermal energy through collisions between atoms or molecules in direct contact.

Convection

Transfer of thermal energy from one place to another, typically occurring in liquids and gases.

Greenhouse Effect

Natural heating of Earth’s surface caused by greenhouse gases such as water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide.